MORE than half a million drivers have fallen foul of the controversial barrierless “free flow” system at the Dartford Crossing, it was claimed last night.

Traditional toll booths at the Dartford Crossing were removed last year to ease congestion

Motorists across the country will be receiving a request for payment after failing to pay the toll charge on one of Britain’s busiest bridges.

About 22,000 drivers may face a fine despite being unaware that they had to pay, the AA says.

Traditional toll booths were removed in December last year to ease congestion but the replacement scheme has been plagued with problems.

They include signage at the bridge, linking Kent and Essex across the Thames, which tells drivers to “find us online” to pay the £2.50 charge, as well as a confusing C sign that some take to refer to the London congestion charge.

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A new system telling drivers to 'find us online' to pay the toll has caused havoc amongst drivers

About 150,000 motorists will receive letters from bailiffs after repeatedly failing to pay the toll.

First-time offenders are given an opportunity to pay the original charge.

Last night the AA branded the charge a “stealth tax” against motorists, while bailiffs warned scores of drivers are in for a “nasty surprise”.

Bob Carver, of the Certificated Enforcement Agents Association, which represents bailiffs in England and Wales, said: “We have been told by the three main civil enforcement firms that they are each expecting to be handed about 50,000 unpaid charges to chase.

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More than 20,000 drivers may face a fine for non-payment, despite not knowing they had to pay at all

“The letters will be going out next week. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“We understand that there are more than half a million motorists who, whether they realise it or not, are in for a nasty surprise after failing to pay the £2.50 charge.”

He added: “The signage is not clear and tells motorists to ‘find us online’. This clearly puts older and, perhaps, less wealthy motorists who do not have access to the internet at a disadvantage. “To have this number of drivers finding themselves facing large fines in this way just doesn’t seem right to us.”

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The bridge is one of the busiest in Britain, linking linking Kent and Essex across the Thames

One motorist from Middlesbrough said he had missed the signs altogether when he crossed the bridge for the first time.

According to our own research, even in the south of England, about 25 per cent aren’t aware of the charge

Paul Watters, AA spokesman

Paul Watson said: “I just didn’t realise. The signs aren’t clear and, frankly, I was in awe of the bridge and its views.”

AA spokesman Paul Watters said: “According to our own research, even in the south of England, about 25 per cent aren’t aware of the charge. Imagine how it is for drivers from the rest of the country.”

Highways England, which jointly runs the crossing with French company Sanef, says the number of motorists receiving civil enforcement notices is far fewer than that being reported by the bailiffs’ assocation CEAA.

A spokesman said yesterday: “The figures clearly show that the vast majority of drivers are paying their Dart Charge on time and that non-payment is being followed up appropriately.”